What is the adaptive unconscious?
Q: What is the adaptive unconscious?
A: The adaptive unconscious is a set of unconscious mental processes that influence judgment and decision making. It operates outside of conscious view, quickly interpreting information and deciding how to act.
Q: How does it differ from conscious processing?
A: The adaptive unconscious is faster, effortless, more focused on the present, but less flexible than conscious processing.
Q: Is the adaptive unconscious involved in "high-level" cognition such as goal-setting?
A: Yes, according to some theories of the mind, the adaptive unconscious is thought to be involved in "high-level" cognition such as goal-setting.
Q: Does the term 'adaptive unconscious' suggest it has survival value?
A: Yes, the term 'adaptive unconscious' suggests it has survival value and was strongly selected for during vertebrate evolution.
Q: Was all mental activity originally unconscious?
A: Yes, for much of vertebrate evolution all mental activity was originally unconscious.
Q: Do fish have consciousness? A: No, no one supposes that fish have consciousness.
